Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-12-10
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
GOVERNMENT AID sUGGESTED-THE STATE AND THE
REPAIR BONDs--THE PRESIDENCY.

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
GOVERNMENT AID sUGGEsTED-THE STATE AND THE
REPAIR BoNDs-THE PRESIDENCY.
From the Baltimore Sum- To-day
Col. l. Victor Baughman was in Baltimore yes
terday. meeting Of the board OF directors OF the
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal will be held in this city
at Barnum's Hotel next Tuesday. Col Baughman,
when he enters upon hts duties as State controller
next month, will retire from the presidency OF the
canal and give his full time to the new position
which he has been elected to occupy. The pre-
vailing impression is that MI. stephen Gambrtil
will be the choice OF the board OF public works
active support OF leading Western Maryianders in
his efforts 70 get that relief which viii be needed to
continue the WATERMAN as an active avenue OF
transportation. On Jan. a coupon on the $780,
600 repair loan will fall due. The two previous
coupons are In default, and the failure TO pay the
third would give the holders OF the repair bonds
the right to foreclose and sell the canal The
president proposes the payment OF the coupon due
Jan. l, 1887, which win head on foreclosure,
even IL It has to be done out Of money that would
otherwise go to the cost OF operating.
Col Baughman says: "Regarding the question
Of aid for the canal from the General Government
our representatives will ind some strong points in
public work. The Government itself Is directly in
terested In its future having been one OF its con-
ciaiiy interested in the future OF the CANAL Mary.
land, OF course, has many millions locked up In this
great waterway; The appropriations made at
different times will be lost entirely II something Ia
not done at an early day 70 put the canal above
the absolute necessities OF want condition which
has been forced upon IL by railroad competition
and natural causes OF trade. There are millions
OF dollars of valuable property claimed by the
canal company which Is now in litigation and
should not be lost sight OF IN the consideration OF
this important question. There are valuable
water rights In Georgetown which annually could
be made to yield at least $4,000 beside valuable
real estate all under lease, which yields now fair
revenue and could be utilized 70 far greater ex-
tent than present. In view OF all these facts Is
is very necessary that some measure OF relief
should be inaugurated by the next legislature.
81 suggest that the State has a clear right to
protect its own property, and to this end have
advocated the wisdom OF the next legislature pass
ing such bill as will guarantee the annual in
tefest on the $500 1000 repair bonds which were is
sued by act OF the legislature of 1873 The guar
antee should hold good for at least seven yeaTs by
which time we would be able to fairly test the
question OF whether we can maintain the canal as
q waterway. / say seven years, because that is
about the lifetime OF Q boat, and with such a
guarantee there would be an inducement to re-
died out. We have now but about two hundred
and twenty TO thirty sound boats which can be
utilized for the purpose OF transportation. Under
the constitution the State cannot make an appro-
priation to any of our public works. but surely
there Is nothing In the constitution 70 prevent
state from paying the interest on its own mort
gags, by which means abe is simply protecting
property In which she Is largely Interested and II
not done Will be sold at great sacrifice. At any
rate this question should be discussed and some
line Of policy decided upon, and that at an early
date"
Controller Turner and Hon. Lloyd Lowndes in
dorse the proposition that the State could take
Of the interest on the repair bond loan Ii Is
q suggestion that will no doubt be fully discussed